Tupper Lake man leads police on high-speed chase in Bloomingdale

July 2, 2013

BLOOMINGDALE - A Tupper Lake man was arrested here Saturday after he allegedly led police on a high-speed chase.

Ray Brook-based state police said Trooper John Moody was traveling west on Franklin County Route 55, the Bloomingdale-Gabriels Road, around 11:20 a.m. when he encountered a silver 2012 Chevy Sonic traveling eastbound at 75 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Police said Moody turned on his lights before he passed the Sonic, which he later learned was being driven by James M. Dwyer, 45, of Tupper Lake. Moody turned around to follow the car, which police said didn't stop. The trooper then pursued Dwyer's car, which allegedly reached speeds in excess of 80 mph, into Bloomingdale, where police said a community-wide garage sale was going on.

When Moody approached the intersection of Route 55 and state Route 3, police said he saw Dwyer turn right onto River Road. The trooper continued the pursuit but reportedly lost the car in a curvy stretch of River Road.

When he reached the intersection with Dinsmore Way, a dead-end dirt road, Moody encountered an uninvolved car turning onto River Road. Police said the driver of that car reported seeing the silver Sonic on Dinsmore Way.

The trooper turned up the road and encountered Dwyer's car coming back to River Road. Moody stopped, ordered Dwyer to get out of the car and placed him under arrest, police said.

Dwyer was charged with third-degree fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and was issued more than a half-dozen traffic tickets, including speeding. Police said Dwyer was "apologetic" and told them he didn't stop because he was late for an appointment in Plattsburgh.

Dwyer was arraigned in town of St. Armand court and released of his own recognizance to appear at a later date.